Ministers and policymakers regularly criticised and ridiculed by the Guardian columnist Ted Wragg, who has died after a heart attack at the age of 67, last night led the tributes to the veteran educationist and broadcaster.

Teachers' leaders hailed Professor Wragg as "a champion of children and of the education service", who was never deflected in his quest to expose ludicrous education policy with "devastating wit".

Prof Wragg began his career as a teacher and headteacher before heading for academia, retiring as head of Exeter University's school of education in 2003. He remained emeritus professor at Exeter, devoting more energy to his work as a writer, commentator, lecturer and broadcaster.

He began writing for the Guardian more than 30 years ago and heaped scorn on Labour's education policies in a column for Education Guardian. In it he coined the phrase "Tony Zoffis" to indicate the control exerted over education policy by Downing Street, and dismissed education secretary Ruth Kelly as "Ruth Dalek".

His family said he died early yesterday morning at the Royal Devon and Exeter hospital, after suffering a heart attack on Sunday morning while out running. "We know that Ted had many admirers throughout the UK and the rest of the world and we are enormously proud of his contribution to education."

Ms Kelly said: "His tremendous passion, knowledge and wit drawn from a working life dedicated to teaching meant his contribution to the profession was immense and his views could never be ignored."

Steve Sinnott, NUT general secretary, said: "Ted Wragg will be sorely missed. He was a champion of teachers, a champion of children and a champion of the education service. He was never cowered by any politician, always keeping his sense of humour and perspective."

John Dunford, general secretary of the Secondary Heads Association, said: "He was unique in his ability to cut through all the nonsense that teachers have had to put up with for many years."

Professor Steve Smith, vice-chancellor of Exeter, said: "Ted was not only a world class academic, but he was also the life and soul of the university."

David Bell, chief inspector of schools, said: "Even I would have a quiet chuckle when Ted was at his vitriolic best about Ofsted. What was never in doubt was Ted's passionate commitment to state education and to every youngster's success."